Archery range with arrow return conveyor



Aug. 27, 1968 c. P. SANZARE ARCHERY RANGE WITH ARROW RETURN CONVEYOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed March 4, 1953 IN VEN TOR.

ATTORNEY CHARLES P. SANZARE dfiL @wkzdm a N mm mwm m a a 5. -43 O dvm Q. n a 5 l 5 mm wm NM on mm mm \hu| a II I a on N a x Aug. 27, 1968 c. P. SANZARE ARCHERY RANGE WITH ARROW RETURN CONVEYOR 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed March 4, 1965 1 V B B V 45 M m 16 M 4 44 44 A J 7 y I 7 4 9 r31? w. 1|. r/ffii w rf/d 2 Ali 3 4 H 2 m 2 2 6 %4 4 44 INVENTOR.

CHARLES P. SANZARE ATTORNEY Unitd States Patent 3,398,959 ARCHERY RANGE WITH ARROW RETURN CONVEYOR Charles P. Sanzare, Philadelphia, Pa., assignor to Brunswick Corporation, a corporation of Delaware Continuation of application Ser. No. 262,399, Mar. 4, 1963. This application May 3, 1967, Ser. No. 635,792 21 Claims. (Cl. 273102.2)

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An automatic archery range including a target towards which arrows may be fired from a shooting line, means for detecting and indicating the point of impact of an arrow on the target, a backstop behind the target for stopping arrows penetrating the target, said backstop and target being spaced a distance greater than the length of an arrow, an arrow container adjacent the shooting line and a means for receiving arrows rebounding from the backstop and delivering them to the arrow container with the pointed end thereof first and the tletched end thereof last.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 262,399, filed Mar. 4, 1963, now abandoned.

Background of the invention In conventional archery ranges, targets are mounted on mats or butts made of straw or similar material. Archers shoot from a common shooting line, and in the interest of safety, each archer must wait until all of the archers are finished shooting. All the archers then walk to the butts and individually extract each arrow, record on cards the score of each arrow extracted, and return with the arrow to the Shooting line. This is time consuming and has a constant element of danger.

It has been known to provide movable targets, so that after an archer has completed shooting, he can mechanically bring the target to the shooting line so that he can extract the arrows. This is an improvement over the conventional range.

It has also been known to provide a target in which each ring on the target responds electrically to the impact of an arrow with the arrow rebounding off the target being returned by a mechanical conveyor belt back to the shooting line. This constitutes a still further improvement.

Summary of the invention It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved archery range.

Another object is to provide a new and improved archery range involving a high degree of automatic operation.

A further object is to provide a new and improved archery range including arrow return means.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved archery range provided with automatic scoring means and automatic return means.

It is an object of this invention to provide a new and improved archery range including a target suitable for archery, said target being adapted to automatically note and record the point of impact or passage of an arrow or other projectile.

It is yet another object of this invention to provide a means for rapidly returning arrows from an archery target to the shooting line, and means being automatically operative whenever and only Whenever an arrow has struck the target, and being operable to return the arrow in a predetermined orientation.

Patented Aug. 27, 1968 Yet another object is the provision of an archery range such as that set forth above wherein the target includes a grid of spaced vertical and horizontal coordinate Wires, the grid spacing being such that a standard arrow shot through a target disturbs or strikes both a vertical and horizontal wire so that the movement of these two wires activates two corresponding electrical circuits and operates a light which corresponds to the intersection point of the vertical and horizontal wires.

A still further object is the provision of an archery range such as that set forth in the preceding paragraph wherein the light is displayed on a mimic target visible to the archer and wherein the front of the wire grid is covered with a conventional appearing target face made of thin paper or other easily penetrable sheet or film.

A still further object is the provision of an archery range such as that set forth above wherein tapered sides, a ceiling and a floor are provided in front of the target to guide poorly aimed arrows so that they may be automatically returned even though they miss the target.

It is also an object to provide an archery range of the type described and constructed so that after an arrow has passed through the target face and the grid it strikes a buffer which stops the arrow flight without injuring the arrow, following which the arrow is returned to the shooting line.

Another object is the provision of an archery range wherein the targets may be made of any size with equal ease of construction without the danger of lightly shot arrows not registering and which may be used with standard boss and standard tipped and feathered arrows, with the archer being immediately shown the exact location of each shot so that aiming adjustments may be made between shots.

An additional object is to provide a new and improved archery range with enhanced spectator appeal including mimic targets which show the performance of the archers.

A still further object is the provision of an archery range including an arrow return system wherein the return systern is of an economical construction, may be completely hidden from vie wand provides increased assurance that all arrows will be returned to the archer.

Another object is to provide a new and improved archery range in which shooting may proceed uninterrupted for scoring, so that various types of games may be held involving different numbers of shots, accommodating late shooters and incomplete games without manual operation of equipment and facilitating correct score record keeping for future reference.

Description 0 the drawings FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a pair of archery ranges made according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a view taken approximately along the line 22 of FIG. 1 with parts shown in section and partially fragmented;

FIG. 3 is a front view that is partly in section and partly broken away taken approximately along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic front view of the target used in the archery range;

FIG. 6 is a side view that is a partial cross section with certain parts broken away for clarity taken approximately along the line 66 of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a schematic of a target circuitry; and

FIG. 8 is a schematic of the arrow return circuitry.

Specific description The general appearance of the over-all range is best understood in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 1,

a pair of archery ranges in side by side relationship is shown. The word range used in this patent is intended to mean a single target and its associated equipment. Ordinarily,an establishment will include a plurality of such ranges, and in common conversation, the entire establishment is called a range. The showing of two ranges in FIG. 1 is merely illustrative; the invention is applicable to a single range or to a large number of ranges, whether in side by side relationship or not, and whether indoors or outdoors. Arrows 14 are shown in arrow containers 100 located near the front of the range. The front 10 also marks the shooting line in FIG. 1. A range shield 12 extends from the front 10 toward the rear of the range. As the shield 12 approaches the rear section 20 of the range, it tapers inwardly, forming tapered shield section 12A. The rear section 20 includes a backstop section generally designated 50 and a target section generally designated 30.

By reference to FIG. 2, it is seen that the tapered shield section 12A tapers inwardly vertically as well as horizontally. For the typical application of indoor use, FIG. 2 shows the preferred arrangement of the range with respect to the building structure. The bottom of range shield 12 is at the floor line, and the top of the shield is at or near the ceiling line. The supports 11 which hold up the front 10 of the range, including the range shield 12, may be part of the buildings ordinary structural floor support.

The display unit or mimic target 60 is mounted below the ceiling line near the shooting line.

The mimic target 60 is positioned so that it is visible to the archer and to observers or spectators standing behind him. It reproduces in miniature the point of impact of each of the archers arrows on the target.

In general terms, the range may be said to consist of a shooting line, shields, target means including means to record the point of impact, back stop means, arrow return means actuated only when presented with an arrow, and arrow container means near the shooting line. The means to record the point of impact may also be described as the scoring means, impact recording means, or scoring unit.

The target means is described in detail first. A target face 32 is provided. This target face is a sheet of paper or thin plastic of any suitable and commonly known type, imprinted or otherwise marked with a conventional target design or pattern. As best shown in FIG. 3, such a suitable pattern consists of a bulls-eye and concentric circles, although, other patterns may be used. It is understood that the showing in FIG. 3 is merely illustrative, and that the patterns used may have different arrangements. The target face 32 is replaceable and expendable. Since the arrows pass through the target face 32, in time it will become damaged to an extent that it will be replaced. For convenience, the target face 32 is mounted in a slidable target holder 31.

A somewhat schematized showing of the grid or wire array is best shown in FIG. 5. A plurality of parallel vertical wires 46V are provided. .A similar plurality of horizontal parallel wires 46H are also provided, running at right angles to wires 46V. These wires are shown in the drawings as having substantial thickness for ease of illustration. In practice, the wires are thin and may be of the dimensions associated with piano wire. The number of horizontal and vertical wires shown has been picked arbitrarily as a low number for ease of illustration. While an array of this number of wires will produce a useful function, finer and preferable accuracy is obtained by increasing the number of both horizontal and vertical wires.

The wires are secured in a generally rectangular casing or frame 41. The wires are anchored to this frame by any convenient known means, such as the retainers 47, best shown in FIG. 6. Each wire is provided near its end with a spring 45. A spring section may be inserted in the wire, or, it the wire provided is rigid enough, the wire itself 4. may be formed into a spring section at the indicated points. 7

A vertical buss bar 42 is provided near each vertical side of frame 41, within the frame. In like manner, a horizontal buss bar 44 is provided near each horizontal side of the frame 41. Each of these bars is provided with a plurality of apertures to accommodate the appropriate wire, as is explained in more detail below. The structure of the buss bars 42 and 44 is best understood in connection with FIG. 6. The apertures 42A are shown in the vertical buss bar 42. One of the horizontal wires 46H passes through each of these apertures 42A. In like manner, each bar 44 is provided with apertures 44A; one vertical wire 46V passing through the matching aperature 44A in a bar 44.

It will be seen that the vertical grid of wires 46V is spaced apart from and does not physically contact the horizontal grid 461-1. The space between these grids is somewhat exaggerated in FIG. 6, for ease of illustration. In practice, the grids may be somewhat closer than suggested by FIG. 6.

As illustrated, the apertures 42A and 44A are shown surrounding the respective wires at points on the inside of the springs 45. This is an optional positioning of the apertures, and within the scope of the invention, they may surround the springs 45 or even be positioned on the side of the springs away from the center of the grid.

The casing 41 is exemplified in FIG. 6 as a U-channel member, having an opening 41B in the front and an opening 41A in the rear. The boundaries of these openings define the generally rectangular array area best shown in FIG. 5.

Each wire 46H and 46V is electrically conductive, and either the casing 41 is non-conductive or the wires are insulated from casing 41. Each wire is continued to an electrical lead. These leads are identified in FIG. 5 by the letters A-J for the horizontal wires and the letters R-Z for the vertical wires. In FIG. 6, wire R is illustrated. The horizontal buss bars 44 are connected together to buss bar lead 44B, and the vertical buss bars 42 are connected together to vertical buss bar lead 42B. In the case where the apertures surround the springs 45, the springs may be conductive and the wires need not be conductive.

It will be appreciated that the grid produces a coordinate system defining the area within the frame 41. A point within this area may be defined as the intersection of a horizontal and vertical wire, for example the intersection C-T.

When an arrow 14, equipped with feathers or fins 13 is shot by the archer through the target face 32, it also will pass through the scoring unit 40. The spacing of the wires is small enough, so that no matter where the arrow 14 passes through the opening 418, 41A, it will disturb at least one vertical and one horizontal wire. In its passage, the arrow will disturb a vertical wire 46V, which will move enough so that it (or its spring 45) will contact the side of its aperture 44A, thus making contact with the horizontal buss bar 44. In like manner, a horizontal wire 46H will move enough so that it (or its spring 45) will make contact with the side of the matching aperture 42A, thus making a contact with vertical buss bar 42. When these contacts are made, an electrical circuit is momentarily closed. The resiliency of the wire then tends to return the wire to its initial position, centered through its matching apertures Without contacting them. The oscillations in the wire induced by the passage of arrow 14 are damped out. It is obvious that the sensitivity of this device may be increased by making the clearance between the side of the aperture and the spring or wire very small.

The circuits closed by the disturbance of the first horizontal wire and the first vertical wire serve to define the closest coordinate point to the passage of the arrow, and thus provide the scoring information required.

The coordinate information obtained as described from the scoring unit 40 is used to light a corresponding indicator light 64 in the display unit or mimic target 60. As best shown in FIG. 3, the array of lights 64, each corresponding to one of the wire intersection points in the scoring unit 40, is positioned behind a mimic target face 62. This face is a reduced scale duplication of the target face 32. In the embodiment shown, the mimic face 62 is transparent or translucent, so that the illumination of a light 64 behind it can be seen by the observers.

In a preferred form of the invention the entire apparatus is set or programmed so that the appropriate light 64 flashes brightly to indicate the point of passage of the arrow. When the arrow is returned, the light stops flashing. Thus, the shooter and other observers are given a high order of organized information about the progress of the shooting. A detailed explanation of one means and method for carrying out this function is described below after a detailed explanation of the progress of the arrow.

As best shown in FIG. 2, the arrow 14A is shown passing through the target section 30 and scoring unit 40. It then reaches the position indicated at 14B at which point it is at the back stop section 50. The back stop section is included within a housing 22 which in turn is mounted on a base 102. This base 102 may simply be part of the floor of the building. The urpose of the back stop section 50 is to reliably and smoothly stop the progress of the arrow 14 and cause it to rebound in a suitably predictable manner, without damaging the arrow.

A preferred structure of the back stop means to meet these requirements is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 2. Three impact sheets 54 are provided, one behind the other, perpendicular to the general path of flight of arrow 14B. Each impact sheet 54 is provided with a plurality of vertical slits 54A, which continue from the bottom almost to the top of the sheet, and which thus define individual elongate flexing members 54B. The sheets 54 are suspended from impact sheet holder 52, mounted on the top of the housing 22. These sheets are preferably made of light resilient metal. Thus, an arrow striking one of the flexing members 54B will bend it backwards in a springy manner, the first such member possibly hitting the second and third members behind it if the impact is strong enough. The arrow is thus brought to a stop, and the springing action of the flexing members 54B then kick the arrow back to the position indicated at 14C. It is not desirable to have too much resiliency in the impact sheets, because it is not desired to throw the arrow back into the grid. This can easily be regulated to fit the chosen dimensions of the structure by choosing the right amount of resiliency as compared to simple pendulum action.

The positions of slits 54A are staggered on the three sheets, as indicated in FIG. 2. The existence of the slits and their staggered relationship have several functions. The staggered relationship insures that no arrow will accidentally pass through aligned slits in the back stop section. The existence of the individual flexing members permits a reduction in the inertia to be overcome by the arrow on impact, so that the blow is made light enough to avoid damaging the arrow. As a result, it will be appreciated that the familiar archery arrows with pointed tips may be used, which is desirable from the point of view of the user.

An arrow return guidance means is provided, This comprises an arrow collecting plate 24A and an arrow return channel 24B, whose structure is best appreciated in FIG. 4. An arrow 14C having recoiled off the back stop means falls onto the collecting plate 24A, and is guided by gravity into the return channel 243, down which it slides point upwards.

The arrow then enters the arrow returns means.

The arrow 14, after sliding down channel 24B slides into the aligned tube or cylinder 25. This tube is pivoted around pivot 26, and is shown in phantom lines in the up position, where it can receive the arrow. The arrow is stopped from passing entirely through the tube whose end near pivot 26 is closed except for an aperture wide enough to pass the arrow shaft but not the feathers thereon, as shown at the lower right corner of FIG. 2. The tube 25 then pivots to its horizontal position, and a linear actuator forcefully propels the arrow through arrow return conduit 15. Arrow 14B is shown in its position just before being propelled down the conduit. The conduit 15 may run under the floor level, and may be held for example by shocks 11A in supports 11. The conduit slopes upwards near the front end of the range and exits into the arrow container 100, which is open at the top to provide the shooter access to the returned arrows. The container 100 may be as shown, or may, for example have its long axis vertical so that the arrows come to rest point down. An arrow is shown at 14F during its progress through the conduit 15. The moving parts of the arrow return means are also enclosed in a housing 22.

This sequential operation of the arrow return means may be effected in any convenient known way. When an arrow 14 closes any circuit in the scoring unit 40, the tube 25 may be moved to its horizontal position by any suitable conventional means after the arrow falls and slides into the tube 25.

The tube 25, on reaching its horizontal position, strikes and actuates switch 28, which, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, closes the circuit to the linear actuator 27, which may comprise a solenoid. The armature of the solenoid is connected to a striker 27A which moves to its phantom line position and strikes the arrow 14 thus propelling it as has been described. The pivoted tube 25 and the striker 27A may be restored under control of any suitable conventional means.

The tube 25 in its up position normally rests on a bumper 27C mounted on bumper support 27B.

One embodiment of the circuitry in the scoring and display functions is best seen in connection with the schematic diagram of FIG. 7. An arrow 14 is shown passing through the scoring unit 40 at a point so that it first disturbs a horizontal wire 461-1 and a vertical wire 46V, so that, in accord with the structure that has been described above in connection with FIG. 6, wire 46H makes contact with its buss bar 42 and wire 46V contacts its buss bar 44. For functional representation, these wires and their buss bars are illustrated as switches in FIG. 7. The indicating lamp 64A is the lamp in the mimic target which corresponds to that particular pair of horizontal and vertical wires illustrated as being disturbed by the arrow 41 in FIG. 7. It is understood that each different combination of horizontal and vertical wires in the grid,, such as for example R-B, U-A, or YF, each has its own light 64 in the mimic target, and has a circuit as is illustrated and explained in detail in connection with the indicator light 64A in FIG. 7. When arrow 14 closes the circuits 46H-42 and 46V-44 as has been explained, coil 65 is energized and opens normally closed switches 65B, 66B and similar switches, as is shown in the diagram. Opening these switches isolates the other lamps or indicator lights which do not correspond to the coordinates. In FIG. 7, an illustrative such lamp is 648, which is isolated from further action. Thus, even though an arrow may disturb more than one horizontal wire for example, only the first such wire disturbed will actuate its indicator light, since as soon as the first circuit is closed, the other horizontal light circuits are isolated.

The coil 65 at the same time closes the normally open switch 65A so that lamp 64A is actuated. A thermally operated flasher F is inserted between switch 65A and the power line. This flasher causes intel mittent full voltage on and off operation of lamp 64A.

The actuation of switch 28- by the tube 25 going to its horizontal position (as has been described above) performs the following operations. Switches 65B, 66B and the similar such switches are reclosed so that the entire scoring system is re-sensitized to record a later arrow. By this time, any spurious vibrations of the wires in the grid have ceased so that there is no danger of an erro- 7 neous signal. The operation of switch 28 also opens switch 65A.

It will be appreciated that the foregoing system results in the optimum desired function of having the mimic target indicate by a flashing light the position of the last arrow shot. The refinement of a fiashing light may be eliminated by eliminating the flasher.

The invention described and illustrated is intended to be illustrative and not limiting, and it is apparent that many variations from this structure and method can be made while remaining within the scope of the invention. The invention is to be determined by the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. An archery range comprising a shooting line, a target means facing said shooting line, shields between said target means and said shooting line, impact point recording means behind said target means, backstop means behind said impact point recording means, wherein an arrow shot from said shooting line may pass successively through said target means and said impact point recording means, to impact on and rebound from said backstop means, arrow return means actuated only by an arrow passing through said impact point recording means and rebounding from said backstop means, and an arrow container means near said shooting line.

2. An archery range as set forth in claim 1 wherein a mimic target is provided visible to the archer, reproducing in miniature the appearance of said target means and being provided with indicating lamps actuated by said impact point recording means.

3. A highly automatic archery range comprising a target section including a thin, penetrable target face, an impact point recording means behind said target face, said recording means including a grid of wires, including wires running in at least two directions, the crossing points of said wires constituting coordinate points, a mimic target including a plurality of indicating means, each said indicating means corresponding to one said coordinate point and being operably connected thereto, backstop means behind said impact point recording means, and arrow return means in front of said backstop means, said arrow return means actuated only by an arrow passing through said impact point recording means and rebounding from said backstop means.

4. A highly automated archery range having (1) a front section including a shooting line and an arrow container, (2) a rear section remote from said front section including a target section and a backstop means behind said target section a distance at least the length of an arrow, (3) a shield between said front section and said rear section tapering toward said rear section, (4) an arrow return means at least partly within said rear section to receive an arrow recoiling from said backstop means and including a conduit to said arrow container, (5) a mimic target visible to an observer at said shooting line, said mimic target being electrically connected to said target section to visually indicate the point of passage of an arrow through said target section, said mimic target comprising a plurality of visual indicating means, each said visual indicating means corresponding to a said point of passage and electrically connected to said corresponding point of passage, and means at each said point of passage to actuate said electrical connection to said corresponding visual indicating means upon passage of said arrow therethrough.

5. An archery range as set forth in claim 4 wherein said target section includes (1) a target face comprising a thin replaceable sheet imprinted with a target design, (2) a scoring unit to the rear of said target face comprising a grid of a plurality of conductive wires, some of said wires being parallel to each other and in a first lane perpendicular to the path of an arrow through said range, and others of said wires being parallel to each other and in a second plane perpendicular to the path of an arrow through said range, said second plane being to the rear of said first plane and said other wires in said second plane running in a direction different from that of the said some wires in said first plane, said some wires spaced closely to a first buss bar and said other wires spaced closely to a second buss bar.

6. An archery range as set forth in claim 4 wherein said backstop means comprises an impact sheet suspended from the top thereof in a plane perpendicular to the path of an arrow through the range, said impact sheet being provided with vertical slits therein which divide said impact sheet into individual, elongated flexing members.

7. An archery range as set forth in claim 6 wherein there are a plurality of said impact sheets, positioned one behind the other, and wherein the slits in one said impact sheet do not coincide with the position of the slits in any adjacent impact sheet.

8. An archery range having a backstop and an arrow return means, said return means comprising an inclined arrow return guidance means in front of said backs-top, an arrow receiving tube aligned with said return guidance means, means to rotate said tube from said aligned position to a horizontal position, a conduit having one end registering with said tube when in the horizontal position, and another end communicating with an arrow container, and means to propel an arrow from said tube through said conduit.

9. Archery apparatus comprising means defining a firing line from which arrows with fletching may be shot by an archer, means defining a penetrable target spaced from said firing line and through which arrows are adapted to pass without substantial damage to the arrows, said target including predetermined target markings at which arrows may be aimed by the archer, yieldable backstop means positioned behind said target means by at least (approximately) the length of an arrow for stopping arrows passing through the target by absorbing kinetic energy of the arrow without damage to the arrow, so that the arrows may fall when stopped, means for receiving arrows falling from the backstop means and returning the arrows towards the firing line, and means adjacent the firing line for receiving arrows from said return means and storing the arrows for reuse.

10. Archery apparatus comprising means defining a firing line from which arrows with fietching may be shot by an archer, means defining a penetrable target spaced from said firing line and through which arrows are adapted to pass without damage to the arrows, said target including predetermined target markings at which arrows may be aimed by the archer, means adjacent said target for sensing the path of the arrow to determine where it penetrates the target, said sensing means defining a sensing area transverse to the path of arrows in flight toward the target and penetra'ble by an arrow, indicating means including a simulated target positioned to be visible from the firing line, means connecting the indicating means to be responsive to said sensing means for indicating the place where the arrow hits the target, means for receiving arrows adjacent the tar-get and sensing means and for returning the arrows toward the firing line, and backstop means positioned behind the target means for stopping arrows passing through the target and directing the arrows to the receiving means.

11. Archery apparatus comprising means defining a firing line from which arrows may be shot by an archer; a penetrable target spaced from said firing line adapted to receive arrows shot from said firing line; means for sensing the point on said target at which an arrow penetrated the same; means behind said target for stopping arrows penetrating the target and operable to permit the arrows to fall downwardly by gravity; means for conveying arrows from an area adjacent said target to said firing line; means below said stopping means and said target for receiving falling arrows stopped by said stopping means and directing the arrows to said conveying means; and means near said firing line for receiving arrows from said conveying means and holding the arrows in readiness for an archer.

12. Archery apparatus according to claim 11 wherein said directing means includes rneans for guiding fletched arrows, fletched end first, from said stopping means; and means associated with said guiding means for pivoting the arrows into position to be oriented on the conveying means with the fletched end away from the firing line.

13. Archery apparatus according to claim 12 wherein said guiding means comprises a sloped chute and said arrow pivoting means comprises a movable arrow receiving member located at the lower end of said chute.

14. Archery apparatus according to claim 13 wherein said member includes wall means for at least partially surrounding an arrow and is mounted for pivotal movement.

15. Archery apparatus comprising a firing line from which arrows having pointed ends and opposite fletched ends may be fired; a target spaced from said firing line for receiving arrows fired from said line; means adjacent said firing line for storing arrows in readiness for an archer; means for conveying arrows from the target to said storing means with the pointed end first and the fletched end last, and means adjacent the tar-get for receiving arrows and delivering all the arrows to the conveying means with the pointed end leading.

16. Archery apparatus according to claim 15 wherein said receiving means includes an arrow gathering member underlying the target, and means for receiving arrows from said member and for placing arrows. in a position to be conveyed by said conveying means with the pointed end directed toward the firing line and the fletched end directed away from the firing line.

17. Archery apparatus, comprising means defining a firing line from which arrows with fietching may be shot by an archer, means defining a penetrable target spaced from said firing line and through which arrows are adapted to pass without substantial damage to the arrows, said target including predetermined target markings at which arrows may be aimed by the archer, yieldable backstop means positioned behind and entirely spaced from said target means by at least the length of an arrow for stopping arrows passing through the target by absorbing kinetic energy of the arrow without damage to the arrow, so that the arrows may fail when stopped, and arrow return means below said backstop for receiving arrows falling therefrom and for returning the same to said firing line.

18. An apparatus as defined in claim 17, including means adjacent said target for sensing the path of the arrow to determine where it penetrates the target, indicating means including a simulated target positioned to be visible from the firing line, and means connecting the indicatingrneans to be responsive to said sensing means for indicating the place where the arrow hits the target.

19. An apparatus as defined in claim 18, wherein said sensing means defines a sensing area transverse to the path of arrows in flight relative to the target and is penetrable by an arrow without substantial damage to the arrow.

20. An apparatus as defined in claim 19, including shield means adjacent the target for directing stray arrows toward the target, said sensing means being positioned between said shield means and said backstop means.

21. An apparatus as defined in claim 19, wherein the target markings on said target define predetermined separate target areas, and said sensing means and indicating means are constructed to detect and indicate arrow penetration of the target at a plurality of places within each target area.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,145,220 l/l939 Cupstid 27310'3 2,164,713 7/1939 Knight et 91. 3,006,648 10/1961 Devitt et al 273103 X 3,329,432 7/1967 Pratt 273103 DELBERT B. LOWE, Primary Examiner. 

